Bittersweet and the little soap company

The first and the last...

Our first snow of the season is falling. I love the first snow! I received one of my new camera lens in the mail yesterday so I captured a few first snow shots at our home.  My father hosts a breakfast every Sunday and our family was taking in the beauty that comes with the first snow. My dad is pretty darn impressive on his little snow removal tractor! He removed the driveway snow in a matter of minutes. These Sundays are priceless and I'm thankful that we have them. 

The hustle and bustle of the season slow down at my dad's house. It's refreshing and helps to put a clear perspective on things. 

The first snow and the last week...

The last week that my store is open this year! Wow!! Double Wow!

As it winds down, I begin to ponder certain things and one is my gratitude for the many blessings. 

My little store is busier than it's ever been and I am more passionate than ever. It is rare to carry on those passionate feelings for something so many years later. Usually, one gets burned out or bored, but I'm one of those lucky ones that are experiencing the opposite. Another blessing. I never take it for granted and my customers are a big reason behind these feelings. 

I just finished hanging ornaments on the tree and wrapped the presents. Our Christmas tree is usually tasseled with pine cones and other natural elements. I love decorating a holiday tree with natural! Our family exchanges names for Christmas gifts and we really don't go crazy with gifts. In all honesty, it's refreshing and the exchange offers some simple appreciation for the simple things and nonmaterialistic side. It has a lot to do with my age, with age comes a shift in those Christmas gift thoughts. You will experience it one of these days when you get older. 

I saw this on Pinterest. 

I know without a doubt I'm not the only one that feels this! Giggling...

The last week before Christmas at the shop is always a blur. The flood of last-minute holiday shoppers fills the apothecary store to the brim. 

This year, I've already got next year's products planned. It's a good feeling to have those ideas worked out especially since I'm changing the look of the store. After all, it's going to be 2020! Doesn't it have a certain modern ring about it? Hint, hint. 

We have signs coming and a few new pieces arriving next week. 

Blessings to you. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

the good life

Once again our wonderful customers showed their patronage by participating in Shop Small Day at Bittersweet Soap + Apothecary. I am honored to have you as customers!

I've been thinking hard about such things and as I reminisce about the past twenty-two years of operating this small business a smile always comes and my heart is filled with joy.

My blood, sweat, and tears have accompanied this Bittersweet journey which helps to appreciate it even more. I wouldn't change a thing. 

Well, maybe...

I've been taking a closer look at my shop and think it's time for some structural changes. With those thoughts come a more streamlined approach to merchandising our store, and some not-so standout departments are getting ready to get a makeover so that they take center store stage.  I shouldn't say getting ready, after Christmas and during our winter break. Which by the way starts in twelve days!

For those that have followed us over the years, you're familiar with our ever-changing ideas and endeavors. We love to make improvements, and there is always room for them.   

I'm super excited to offer a brand new Bittersweet after the holidays! I know you're going to love the new look!

I'm also working on our line for 2020! A new Eye Serum, Hair Oil, and some really exciting home-keeping essentials are in the works. 

Wintertime is an ideal time to ponder new things. The shorter days and wintry nights offer up a feeling of peace and well being in a way that the only winter can create. A slow down of time, and soulful satisfaction from the simplest of things. I love that!

To come...

We have a little turkey leftover from Thanksgiving and I think I'll make either turkey salad or some other turkey dish with cream and noodles. When in doubt, cream and noodles always come through. This sounds good.

Elle and I went on a winter's walk earlier and that north wind was whipping all around us. We're going to hunker down and stay indoors. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bittersweet land

This week marks the beginning of what I call - Zip! Thanksgiving and then the day after, Small Business Saturday and our hand made inventory will be gone in a flash! The following weekend we host our annual Holiday Open House and this soap maker will be keeping the midnight oil burning for the next fifteen days. 

Seriously, how does the time fly by so fast? Our store is only open fifteen more days this year! Now if that doesn't sound even stranger, saying this year. 

Lots of exclamation points!

My shop camera is acting up. I haven't figured out exactly what's going on, but I believe it's the lens. I'm contemplating phones, cameras, and electronic equipment for shooting live video and creating a Bittersweet Pod, and the information I've obtained is overwhelming. My brother instructed me and I trust his advice, so I'm leaning towards his recommendations versus YouTube videos. I don't know about you, but I can only watch so many YouTube tutorials before my head begins to spin!

Anyway, I'm missing my shop camera!  

Meanwhile, at the storefront, an array of Lip Balm awaits the stockings hanging by the chimney with care. 

I shot this with my everyday camera, and it's not bad. A little out of focus and I never had that issue with the 75-300 lens. I think this shot was captured with a macro lens. I'm just learning about macros. 

I could save a lot of camera knowledge grief if I'd just take the time to attend a photography class!

This Holiday feels out of wack. It seems as though the holidays have abruptly arrived. I prefer a soft and mellow arrival. With Thanksgiving being so late it just seems that it's all jammed together. Does anyone else share those feelings?

We found the perfect tree! I'm keeping the tree simple by only hanging white balls and lights. She's sucking up the water! I have been giving her two generous drinks each day since we brought her into our home. 

We're already releasing numbers seven and eight of the Twelve Days this Friday! See, it's moving way too fast!

Where did five and six go? A few bars left and number six is flavored with Chocolate Mint! 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

baby it's cold outside!

If you want my opinion, and I'm sure that you do, there are very few things in life that are as easy to the eye as piles of hand made, hand wrapped soap! I'm a tad bit bias, of course. 

Oh, my Arctic Goodness! It is brutally cold! That sentence deserves more than one exclamation mark!! The wind feels as though it cuts right through you and the temperatures are Siberian worthy. 

We have our little gas heater running full throttle, and extra blankets have been robbed from the linen closet. This soap maker will be eager for spring to arrive, even though it's a long way off, I'm dreaming about it while the frozen tundra surrounds me. 

I can't wait for warm sunny days, Thyme, Basil and Lavender to be blooming!

Meanwhile back at the soap shop...

More Felted Wool Soap and a number of other winters inspired goodies.  What started as a novelty thought has turned into a really cool concept. Artisan Soap wrapped in wool and by wrapping the moisture rich soap in wool one is treated with a gentle exfoliating bar that lingers twice as long as an unwrapped one. It builds a bubble bar lather and the wool shrug may be used over and over. Yeah, I'm impressed with the concept of Wool Wrapped Soap!

I can't believe the difference in the flow of the shop space since we opened it up. A total transformation that offers an even flow of balance from one room to the other. 

We're having a huge clothing sale at the shop! Some super great deals to be had and just in time for ♥ day. 

I ventured out and braved the freezing temperatures to stock up on good for me food. I have been eating poorly. Lots of sugar, and carbs, and I'm feeling the heaviness of a few extra pounds. 

Sweet potatoes, Avacado's, eggs, dates, coconut sugar, oats, and quinoa were on the shopping list. Those food items are considered a staple as we can mix and match and create some wholesome blends. I'll be taking a break from carbs and sugar for a while. The last time I abolished the sugar and carbs I got so skinny that people were asking me if I was okay. It seemed to be a challenge to convince them it was because I'd eliminated the two so-called ingredients and starchy foods from my diet. I felt like a million bucks after clean eating for a few months. It takes a considerable number of months to start shedding pounds. But once the pounds begin to drop, they just keep dropping. It's an interesting thing, I believe. 

Anyway, fish and veggies on the menu for tonight, and for my chocolate addiction, dates and nuts dribbled with dark chocolate. A special treat during the day, night, and in between. 

I'm stopping to make Lavender Sticks. Nothing better than the scent of lavender floating through the laboratory. 

 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

many things

Living one day at a time lately. When I ponder those thoughts my mind wanders and then stops. Each day is a gift, and somehow when you treat it as such, life is even more precious and I do believe you appreciate it more. 

The Apothecary Shop is gearing up for our May Day Celebration. The storage room in the back of my shop just got a major cleaning and sorting, and countertops are cleansed and not filled with all the shop goings on that seem to somehow be like a lint brush. I'm one of those people that feels uneasy when things get messy. A shop has a lot going on, especially one that makes most of their merchandise. Messy is a commonly used word when referencing shop talk. There is kind of a language on its own type thing. There's always a variety of seasonal merchandise pieces scattered here and there. We're working on Spring now. However, it certainly does not feel like spring! I vowed to not dig out my winter coats, but then quickly changed my tune when that brutal north wind blew me around. Hat, gloves, coats, boots, still handy in my closet, even though I wish them not to be. 

 

A few months ago a sweet customer dropped by and shared information about a local lavender farm. I'm in! Joan delivered this bundle on Thursday. Ah, the smell transports you to a peaceful and calm place. Her daughter Melissa owns a bakery in my hometown. She's a sweetheart and I"m anxious to visit her bakery!

I picked up a bunch of bright yellow sunshine daffs this week. With all our unseasonal wintry weather I needed a pick me up. There's something about that yellow that cheers a soul and brightens one's day. 

We're getting in new creamy and white delights. This oyster colored blouse is the cutest ever! It's all about the details. It really is. 

Keeping busy at the shop, and building our customer base every day. These boxes are being constructed for a special order. Bittersweet puts together a variety of special orders throughout the year. I have this thing about building gift boxes. I love putting them together!

We're making a big pot of chili since it's so cold. 

I made these hand pies the other day. They were a blast to make! Extra yummy, even without icing. Years ago I purchased special pop tart like molds to make these, but I have no idea where they're at. I made a double recipe of pie crust and rolled them out the old-fashioned way. That pie crust is pretty tasty. Even though it's loaded with carbohydrates. Worth the cheating on my low carb, sugar diet. Just say'in. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

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biscuits and papery - Bittersweet and the little soap company

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No toast with my butter...

Does one's taste change over time? Mine has. I'm still drawn to certain things when creating a vibe at the shop, but I'm much more fastidious and exact. If I go back to when I first began this blog, 2006, I'm somewhat surprised about the objects that attracted me back then. Where does your design style come from? Your environment has a lot to do with your style. 

Moving on...

I'm still on the low carb, sugar challenge. Yes, it is a challenge to choose low carb, low sugar foods. Unless their fresh, they probably aren't low carb. That gives you a notion of the challenge. Since I started this challenge I've become more aware of how many processed foods line our grocery shelves. They say eighty percent of our food is processed! Those findings draw me to a conclusion that's not pretty. Food manufacturers add lots of sugar, and preservatives, and I just can't help to think, none of them are good for us. Yes, I said us, because we're all in this together.

My challenge right this minute is to locate a substitute for refined sugar.  My next sweet adventure will be baking with this.

If you wish to add the sweet date to your coffee or tea, I don't believe it dissolves, but you can get the syrup. I'm eager to try it. The artificial sweeteners aren't for me. I had several adverse effects when I consumed Stevia. Always the same reaction so that I knew it was the culprit. My symptoms were pretty intense. I had pain in my lower stomach. Not just a discomfort or inconvenience pain, but serious pain. It took me about six stevia times to figure out that I was having a reaction. I searched, and searched the Internet to see if anyone else experienced the same lower abdominal pain, and was hard pressed to find a couple, but later that same week, I had a customer come in the shop, and we chatted about it. She told me how she'd had the exact pain when she ingested Stevia. As with everything, not everyone's body reacts the same with different foods. I wanted to share, because maybe you've experienced the same thing, and it's comforting to know someone else has had the same thing happen. 

The topic of health is dear to my heart. 

Looking thoughtfully at something for a long time almost always delivers a positive solution. 

The modern apothecary shop is being detailed. I'm eager for fall. We're getting in new styles and the autumn aromas's are filling the shop air. 

Prototypes are being developed for the new upcoming season, and the wheels are spinning. 

We're moving into glorious September! 

September represents many, many things to this soap maker. I almost feel like a squirrel hiding her nuts. Recuperation for the fast paced holiday season has already commenced! I'll be moving at warp speed from now until December 26. Then we close the shop for a few weeks, and I enjoy a break. Yes, I do begin to ponder those thoughts early in. 

Keep the faith. 

Jill 

 

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closet girl

Hats, gloves, evening bags, t-shirts, short boot, tall boots, camisoles, belts, and my mostly white wardrobe. All neatly stashed in bins or in view. Jeans, skinny ones, and flares, favorite's and weekend warriors. The final and last project in the new dressing room.

This room is now a favorite hang out spot, and I'm looking forward to sewing new skirts, and Bittersweet soap bags.

Home is getting organized and the shop is churning up autumn ideas.

Our new t-shirts should be arriving later today. I'm excited to get them. Here's the mock up. It's much better when you see the wording on an actual shirt. I'll be offering the tee's at the soap shop on water street. Hey, I think that maybe I'd like to create a new shirt with those words!

 Meanwhile, we're whipping up autumn and spice, everything nice, in the production room. 

Manufacturing orders are already multiplying, and constant inventories are being scored, and maintained. There's nothing worse, then getting ready to make something, only to realize, you're out of a necessary item. Soap supplies in addition to many other must have manufacturing ingredients simply need to be in stock and ready.   I was thinking about all this yesterday. How continuous coverage of one's manufacturing inventory is crucial to fulfill supply and demand, especially when your shop stocks items you make. If you have to wait a week or so for supplies to arrive, that means your production ceases during that time. Your shelves are empty. Just say no to empty shelves at a shop. No Go!

My studio is filled with fifty pounds of this, that. Most all of my manufacturing products come in fifty pound containers. Keeping track of olive oil, coconut, palm, spring water, sodium hydroxide, essential oil, perfume, is a constant job. In addition, my mind is also monitoring over one-hundred other necessary ingredient lists. Whew! 

In all honesty, and I don't mean this in an arrogant way, but I run a tight shift! 

The shop is my getaway! 

The world keeps on keeping on, regardless of the chaos and commotion. I figure it's going to play out, the way it's suppose to no matter what. Scary and concerning for all, and I don't hide my head in the sand, I keep the faith and trust in God, and pray.

Jill  

 

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fireflies and moon flowers

I'm absolutely thrilled when a new soap is sitting on my desk freshly wrapped, and a customer picks up a bar and describes the scent in a clear and precise way. 

Using words like, mysterious and smoky, perfume, but mild. Every nose has its story!

A customer came in yesterday with a tiny sample I'd given her last week wanting me to tell her what the soap was. Her small sample piece was gently used, and I must have sniffed it twenty times, but I could only narrow its flavor down with a guess.

You may find that surprising, that I can't identify the scent of a soap, but I make twenty thousand bars a year, and out of those twenty thousand, comes a vast variety of soap flavors.

We just launched a new summer soap idea. Fill your bag with soap. The concept was created with the idea of clearing out the old and bringing in the old. Seldom, do we have leftover soap at the apothecary shop. Maybe a bar here, or two from the holiday soap stash, or possibly a winter blend, that doesn't fit in with the summer blends. Those soap bars are packed in baskets and sit on the shelf in my back room. After gazing upon the six baskets stacked with seasonal soaps, I thought maybe we could simply offer them in a bulk pack. The concept seems to be popular, as we've sold half of our inventory in just a few short days after introducing them.  I had not weighed the soap after the bag was filled, but yesterday I did. If you fill your bag, you'll get over two pounds of soap! They're priced to sell, and well cured, so they'll last a very long time. If I didn't have thousands of bars of soap, that's how Id' purchase the moisture rich bars. Now that I've got ya excited, and eager to fill your bag, there's a limited supply and I'll probably only offer them once a year. That's because we typically don't have a lot of orphan soap hanging around.

Whew, that was a long description of the soap in a bag!

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist posting this...

This kid reminds me of my brother Mark. 

The No Sugar For Me, Thank you, and I'm into day number 7! I'm going to be honest and tell you, the past couple of days without sugar seems to have caught up with my body. I felt a bit sluggish yesterday and the day before and tired, really tired. This morning I'm feeling back to hyper Jill, and I know it's going to take awhile for the sugar to clear out. I'm not even sure how long I'll continue to live a sugar free life, because I'm winging it, but my body will tell me what to do next. Yes body, I'm listening. All joking aside, I do love sugary foods, ice cream, cake, cookies, and I do not wish to remove sugar completely from my diet, but I'm definitely going to be more aware of my intake. 

This is a great article about sugar. Funny, these were my thoughts before I read it. Always trust your instincts, they won't lie. I was eating more than twenty - four grams of sugar a day!

Moving towards a different topic. I'm really getting excited about this upcoming event! Amber, owner of Petal's and Potpourri is going to be a guest on the next radio show, and between the two of us, we're going to fill your ears with our excitement chatter. I also want to mention, how wonderful, kind, and sincere Amber, and the folks from Petal's are! It's no wonder why their shop has been around since the seventy's! As a fellow shop owner, I feel grateful to be among such talent, and professionalism.

Cant' wait for the show!

These are another <bottom>Amber's feet. She is modeling the new barefoot sandals that we have at the shop. She could be a foot model!

We're getting closer to starting the construction of our new banquette! I found that table at one of my wholesale suppliers! I about fell over when spotting it! I was thinking that would be the challenge to find a table like this. Just goes to show you how you shouldn't get in a  remodel hurry when starting a home project. Now hurry here! However, I am getting anxious after locating the table!

At the shop, we're mixing sea salt, and herbs to create salt cylinders. We're tying little dried lavender bundles to the glass vials. 

Happy Summer!

Jill 


 
 

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uncomplicated inspiration

Summer grabs acres of inspiration and gently preserves it under its wings.

While cutting a new summer soap, and as I held the bar to my nose, instantly, I knew it should be named Moon Flower. Oh how I love it when this happens!

Yesterday, and when I stepped out on the back porch, I noticed these sitting on the table.

 What a welcome to my tummy surprise! I must have eaten at least five or six! No guilt, just gobbled right up! Thank you Dad for sharing M.J's famous Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and what I believe to be, the best Oatmeal Raisin Cookie, on this side of the Missouri River! 

There's a whole lot of summer going's on at the soap shop. 

We introduced a new BeBe line of products...

I painted the spare room in back of the shop and transformed it into a dressing room. 

Hanging a galvanized lamp, placing a round jute rug, and installing a new ceiling fan. Cutting cedar to wrap around a ceiling inlay, and then I think we're done. At least for the time being. I'd really love to scrap the flooring, but that's a big project that will have to wait until we get our home projects completed. 

This is the other side as you walk out.

 

The rest of the week will be dedicated to preparing for the Mercantile Sale. 

I purchased a big box of tags for pricing, and now it's time to whip through all my hidden treasures for discovery. 

Twenty years of stash!

We're setting up a tent in the driveway, and I'm hoping it doesn't rain. If it does, I'm not having the sale. It's an old fashioned out door sale with the added bonus of rare finds. 

In between, I'm changing the name of the radio show to "Liberty Live." I believe it's a better fit and best describes the show. New business cards, marketing, graphics, etc. 

Happy Summer!

Jill 

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Oh how it's so very nice to bake a pie from scratch. It's Memorial weekend, and that means we're going to grill and bake, and take a few days off from Bittersweet. 

I feel like it's the calm before the crazy around here, as I'll be preparing for the Mercantile Sale and attempting to finish some much needed organization space. I'm not there yet. Moving my office upstairs, and clearing the studio downstairs. Also, working on new ideas for the apothecary shop. One involves leather. The other consists of kits, and gift boxes, and oh how I get pumped up right when those new ideas flow!

Once upon a time there was enough time in the day to sew market bags. Those days are gone. I kind of miss them sometime, but also realize growth is good. 

The new line of Bittersweet Spa Products is taking shape, and my studio is filled with bundles of lavender and sacks of golden flax seed. The mixture that's inside the eye pillows. 

Every so often I'm required to change the look of things. More often than not, keeping things fresh and new, especially when you have a shop. Those feelings, and tasks of creating new, and switching old, particularly a requirement needed to offer a blooming effect. The shop is blooming!

The "surprise orchid" continues to fascinate me with even more colorful blooms. Taking it in...

I've been watching cooking shows all day!

Now I want to grill cabbage and corn on the cob!

Believe it or not, I really like watching war movies. So remembering, and thanking those who have fought for my freedom. Your's too! 

 

Give Peace a chance...

Jill 

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